El Lissitzky Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

El Lissitzky - Essay Example He designed several exhibition display and propaganda for the Soviet Union and experimented with several techniques and styles that set him apart from other artist, in creativity, and later paved a niche for him through the 20th century (Lissitzky-Kuppers, 1980; Stedelijk Van Abbemuseum and El Lissitzy, 1990). Lazar Markovich Lissitzky, a Jew, started as an artist early in life copying and illustrating Yiddish children's books. His efforts were basically aimed a promoting the Jewish culture in Russia, in line with the several changes taking place after the country's anti-Semitic laws were repealed. Starting at the age of 15, he began teaching, a duty that he never strayed far away from, for the most part of his life (Friedberg, 1987). He taught in a variety of positions, schools, and artistic mediums, spreading and exchanging ideas at a rapid pace. The ability to imbibe people's ideas and at the time same influencing them, was his unique trait. This trait was exhibited when he met and worked with Malevich in heading the suprematist art group UNOVIS, when he developed a variant suprematist series of his own, Proun, and further still in 1921, when he took up a job as the Russian cultural ambassador in Weimar Germany, working with and influencing important figures of the Bauhaus and De Stijl movements during his stay (Stedelijk Van Abbemuseum and El Lissitzy, 1990). Also, in his later days, he significantly influenced and brought several innovations to the fields of typography, exhibition design, photomontage, and book design. He produced several internationally recognised works. This continued until his deathbed, where in 1941 he produced one of his last known works - a Soviet propaganda poster rallying the people to construct more tanks for the fight against Nazi Germany (Lissitzky-Kuppers, 1980). However, the entire career and works of El Lissitzky was inspired by his belief that art should serve the needs of the society and that the artist should be an agent of change. From this perspective, it can be argued that his innovations in the world of art were driven by his resolve to serve societal needs, or affect the lots of the people, giving his devotion to the communist movement (Lissitzky-Kuppers, 1980; Stedelijk Van Abbemuseum and El Lissitzy, 1990). This essay therefore, intends to examine the life and work of El Lissitzky with a view to analysing the impacts and effects that the ethical and ideological views prevalent during his days, especially during the Russian Revolution had on his approach to art and design. To achieve this purpose, this essay will be structured thus: the first section of this essay shall briefly describe the history of El Lissitzky and the rise of the Proletarian Culture to provide a background understanding of his early days and perhaps his motivation. The second section will describe the several popular works of this artist and attempt to critically examine the influence of the prevalent soviet ideological of the time, on such work of art. Also, by looking at how his approach to art and design metamorphosed from the early days of illustrating Yiddish books to his later days in typography, on would gain an insight into how prevalent ethics and ideological perspectives influenced his approach to, and

Nietzsches Revaluation of All Values Essay -- Philosophy Nietzsche Es

In the nineteenth century, popular philosophy - particularly the Hegelian dialectic - professed that mankind was developing in an upward direction, becoming more angelic as it were. Man's moral laws were more advanced, as support for democracy and equal rights were beginning to become popular. However, Friedrich Nietzsche believed that mankind was entering a downward spiral towards complete decadence. Modern man, with its 'advanced' morality, was, in truth, decaying on the inside. Claims of morality merely masked modern man's decay: he is veiled behind moral formulas and concepts of decency?. [not] to mask human malice and villainy?. [but] it is precisely as tame animals that we are a shameful sight?. The European disguises himself with morality because he has become a sick, sickly, crippled animal that has good reasons for being ?tame?. [GS 352] Nietzsche believed this to be a form of nihilism because mankind valued precisely what was halting his advancement. With this in mind, Nietzsche began his bold movement towards the revaluation of all values. We need a critique of moral values, the value of these values should itself, for once, be examined?. [What if] morality itself were to blame if man, as a species, never reached his highest potential power and splendour? [GM P 6] In this essay I will first look at several reasons for the necessity of a revaluation of all values. Then I shall look at Nietzsche?s conception of the ?noble? and how through egoism, they can undertake the revaluation of all values. Nietzsche?s most famous statement is, without a doubt, that ?God is dead? (GS 108/125, Z P 2, etc.). Through many years of being quoted, contemporary society seems to have lost the significance of such a profound statement. Perhaps the most frightening aspect of this statement is that ?we have killed him - you and I. All of us are his murderers? (GS 125). It is important to remember that Nietzsche did not believe this to be a literal event. Instead, he explains ?that the belief in the Christian god has become unbelievable? (GS 343). Such disbelief has begun to cast morality, indeed mankind?s meaning, into doubt. Without God, how can universal moral truths be justified? Where is the meaning of man? What were we doing when we unchained this earth from its sun? Whither is it moving now? Whither are we moving? Away from all suns? Are we not plung... ...ss that of all, all! [GS 335] Nietzsche believed that the ego is very important for the revaluation of values. It provides a person with the proper attitude to look within himself and determine those values that are in accordance with personal well-being. The ego also gives the person the conviction to act upon them. In the end, Nietzsche began to perceive that his ?wicked thoughts? on the revaluation of all values were themselves becoming eternal truths: ?you have already taken off your novelty, and some of you are ready, I fear, to become truths: they already look so immortal, so pathetically decent, so dull!? (BGE 296) Nietzsche implies that his views on issues might not be correct, such as when he claims ?assuming that it is now known at the outset how very much these are after all only - my truths? (BGE 231) before beginning a sad tirade on women. The danger of stating a method of creating truth that is indefinite is that certain aspects will be cast into truths in the future, much against the spirit of Nietzsche. While his elitist views might seem extreme, perhaps he is only offering his truth to creating meaning, and it is our individual duty to come up with our own.

Conservation in the Peak District National Park

Conservation in the Peak District National Park involves more than preventing damage and leaving the countryside alone. Management is needed to maintain the variety and interest of the landscape. This involves * Looking after the best features of the landscape, eg well maintained moorland and listed buildings. * Improving neglected features eg rebuilding stonewalls and replanting woodlands. * Managing development so that damage is limited eg building and recreation activities. (2) Extent of Activity Now English Nature has designated 3.4% of the Park as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). These SSSI's cover 23,862 hectares of the Peak District. In these areas, manages must consult English Nature before making any changes which would adversely affect the Nature Conservation interests. The Derbyshire Dales National Nature Reserve includes parts of 5 limestone dales and is managed by English Nature. Country Wildlife Trusts manage reserves totalling 300 hectares. (3) Policies Governing Activity Many organisations are involved in the Peak District National Park these are, * English Nature- the official body responsible for promoting nature conservation nationally. * English Heritage- responsible for archaeology and the built environment. * Peak Park Joint Planning Board- they formulate the conservation policy for the Peak Park. * National Trust, RSPB, Wildlife Trusts- are all also involved with the decisions about the Park. The forestry commission and water companies own large areas of the Peak Park. (4) The Benefits/Importance of Conservation Conservation protects the land from being eroded by overgrazing and tourism. As well as this it monitors development so no unsuitable buildings are built which may spoil the traditional settlements and landscape within the Park. Conservation helps to protect wildlife in particular rare species, which may only be found within the Peak Park. For e.g. Grouse and Sphagnum moss. Conservation protects the characteristics of the Park by encouraging farmers to carry out traditional activities, such as dry stone walling. All of this means that as many people can enjoy the Park as possible but most importantly it's beauty can be viewed by future generations. (5) The Future In the next 50 years we would like to see a continue in the protection of the Peak Park as a living and changing environment. However in order for the park to fulfil it's main aim, which is to show the diversity of life, to provide a beautiful place for city dwellers to visit and to limit development in order to sustain the natural environment restrictions on certain activities must be enforced. We would like to discontinue the use of quarries, as quarrying causes unnecessary noise and air pollution and causes great scars in the natural landscape, which can never be totally repaired. As this is not appropriate as a large majority of Britain's limestone and Fluorspar is provided from the Peak Park, we would not allow any NEW quarries to be started. We would like to limit tourism to such a degree that erosion and damage caused by recreation would be stopped, however once again this would not be possible. It would be more reasonable to limit tourism to certain areas, which may be maintained when required or a small charge in place in order to repair any damage caused. The small roads and villages were not made for the amount of traffic, which is currently running along them. So many cars cause much pollution, which is likely to affect the quality of air. For this we would like to introduce a ban on private transport and would like to see an improvement in park and ride schemes and public transport! The traditional activities of current farmers should be maintained to show the culture of the county side and the slower pace of life. Fertilisers should be positively rejected as these would soon damage the delicate balance of the current Peak Park. Small developments are fine but any major ones, which would spoil the natural feel of the Peak Park, should not take place. We must strive to provide a beautiful place for people from cities to visit and enjoy, however at present it seems that people are wrecking the very place they have come to admire!

Sweet Quotes

There are some words that touch our heart in a very special way. They make us say, Aww! That was so sweet! On this page, I have some really sweet quotes with a hint of innocence, a dash of love, and oodles of attitude in them. Irish BlessingsMay God give you: For every storm a rainbow, for every tear a smile, for every care a promise and a blessing in each trial. For every problem life sends, a faithful friend to share, for every sigh a sweet song and an answer for each prayer. Julie AndrewsSometimes Im so sweet even I cant stand it. Oscar Hammerstein IIDo I love you because youre beautiful, or are you beautiful because I love you? Am I making believe I see in you, a woman too perfect to be really true? Do I want you because youre wonderful, or are you wonderful because I want you? Are you the sweet invention of a lovers dream, or are you really as beautiful as you seem? SenecaThings that were hard to bear are sweet to remember. AnonymousLoving you is like breathing, how can I stop? Helen KellerThe best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart AnonymousNobody loves a woman because she is handsome or ugly, stupid or intelligent. We love becaus e we love. Lisa HoffmanLove is like pi -- natural, irrational, and very important. Jennifer TylerMy mind tells me to give up, but my heart wont let me. Oscar WildeWho, being loved, is poor? AnonymousPlease God, make my words today sweet and tender, for tomorrow I may have to eat them. Lisa MoriyamaIf a relationship is to evolve, it must go through a series of endings. PlatoAt the touch of love, everyone becomes a poet. Mother TeresaWe can not do great things. We can only do little things with great love. Satchel PaigeWork like you dont need the money. Love like youve never been hurt. Dance like nobodys watching.